The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-03-17
Senate.
MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
PETITIONS.


BY Senator Upshaw-From citizens of
Texas, asking n law to permit the effects
of alcohol to he taught in the public
schools; also, from firemen, asking to be
relieved from poll tax and road duty.
concurrent resolution, by Senator
Claiborne, to permit citizens to donate
and set out trees to the number of 1000
in the capitol yard, when graded, was
adopted.
Senator Allen, for the committee on
agriculture, reported favorably house bill
to establish an agricultural bureau.
Senator Claiborne introduced joint
resolution TO amend article 2, section ., of
the constitution, so as to require new coun-
ties formed from counties already organ
ized to contain not less than seven hun.
dred square miles.
Senator Ferrel's joint resolution to ad-
journ sine die on April H. was called up
and lost. Yeas, II, nays, 10.
A resolution by Stinson to adjourn on
the 70 Of March was lost. Yeas, Il nays,
II.
Senate bill to create Tarrant county into
judicial district passed.
Senate bill changing the time of hold.
ing courts in Denton, Montague and Cooke
counties passed.
Senate bill changing the time of hold
ing courts in the Twelfth judicial district
passed.
Senate bill for the protection of fish
and oysters passed.
The militia bill was made the special
order for tomorrow.
Senator Abercrombie entered motion to
reconsider the vote refusing to adopt the
resolution on April 4.
Senate bill making it misdemeanor to
skin animals without the consent of the
order passed to third reading.
Senate bill to validate Greer county
land patents was taken up as special or
der with adverse minority report by the
committee.
Senator Bell moved the adoption of the
minority report.
Senator Burgess made strong and pa.
triotic speech IN favor of the bill, and
against the minority report. The law
passed permitting the location of the
certificates in Greer county was SO emf
nently just that he was astonished to see
any opposition to it. He referred to the
fact that, at the time of the passage of
the act, lands were scarce, and it was con
templated that the certificates should be
located in Greer county, as a matter of
Justice to the veterans, and at the same
time strengthen the claim of Texas to
that territory. He insisted that the old
veterans, in locating their certif-
Gates there, committed no
wrong but that it would be
wrong for the state to step in now and
declare that the locations were invalid af-
ter the commissioner of the land Office
and the governor have said that they are
legal and patents have issues. He referred
to the fact that at least lis veterans now
asked that the bill be passed, and warned
the senate that to refuse to do SO would
not only commit wrong upon the
veterans but greatly weaken the claim of
the state to Greer county. He hoped for
the honor of the state and in the interest
of right and common honesty the bill
would pass that lis vet
Grams now asked that the bill
be passed and warned the legislature that
if it refused TO do so it would great,
weaken the claim of the state. | hop,
for the honor OF the state, l hope fol
the principles of honesty, that this bill
will pass.
Senator Mcdonald made a powerful
speech in opposition to the bill contend
ing that the passage of the bill would be-
wrong because the locations in hi.
opinion were ia conflict with the constitu
ton.
Senator Terrell spoke in favor of thu
bill saying that he believed the act con
templated that the veterans should locat,
their certificates in Greer coun.
ty. He showed that the samt
Legislature which passed the act passed
another, setting aside all the unappro-
priated domain, one-half to the school.
and one-half to the public debt, enumerat
ing the counties by name. The act did
not mention Greer county, hence il wa.
evidently the desire of the legislature that
the veteran act intended that the certif.
Gates should be located in Greer county.
Pending further discussion senate adj
journed until 3 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Gouse bill fixing salary of penitentiary
chaplain at 5000 passed.
House bill changing time of holding